Description:
The current stop for the thoughts, adventures, and everyday, mundane life of Paul Hastings. Also hosting the AAA (Adventures of ARC in Alabama).
Contents:
Frisco Practice Tournament, Take 4
Well I (me) had a tournament experience that was different than any other. For the first time ever, Paul attended a tournament that he didn't compete in. Which before the tournament made him wonder if he should even attend.
It was weird because Paul:
- Wore a new tie.
- Didn't lose his appetite.
- Judged others instead of being judged himself.
- Watched several new ARCers debate.
- Felt sad that he couldn't compete.
- So he gorged himself with judges food.
- And then resolved to help create the next generation of Alan Carrillos.
I judged impromptu and have determined to go down in history with my own quotes. How's this as a starter?
"A picture says a thousand words. But a photograph needs people to write captions." - Wise Words of Paul.
I was looking for pictures from the tournament, but most were either blurry, or of the same people. So if you don't see yourself below don't think I'm shunning you. The first 1st, 2nd, and last picture were memories taken by the Hastings. The 5 smaller photos come courtesy of Zachary H., thanks man.
Brian M., yours truly, and Ben S. meet the paparazzi after the tournament.
Pastor Hullum serves as ARC's resident theologian, Apologetics coach, and most recently... crime-fighter.
William U. and Christina H. share their common fancy for penguins.
 
Kathryn C. and David U. had an undefeated Affirmative case at Frisco.
Toni M. faced down droves of competitors without her Apologetics box and lived to tell the tale.
Zachary H. poses with Paul H., Zach went on to win 1st place in Original Oratory that night. Once again, thanks for the photos.
This last image below sums up the tournament.
The U. family of ARC
It's one of those moments that feature films end with in slow motion while inspirational music plays in the background. It's times like those, or a picture like this, that gets me the most and leaves me with a feeling of "Wow, this is the future of American values, walking in front of me."
Sappy ending, I know it. But yeah, Frisco was worth it.
Frisco Practice Tournament, Take 3
Well, I (Toni) seem to be making my appearance on Paul's blog a little too late. Everyone, make sure you read the previous two entries from Beth and Christina on the awesome tournament we just participated in. Most everything has been said, so here's my final closing thoughts. Hope you enjoy!
 - Seeing a large majority of Region IV friends was wonderful! For the most part, I hadn't seen everyone since either Nationals or Regionals. The friendships I've been able to make through speech and debate has been incredible, and it was awesome getting to kick off the new season with everyone for the final time.
- Forgetting my apologetics box on Friday was definitely not in my original plans. But it turns out that I survived, and in some ways I actually enjoyed not having it. It brought out the "impromptu" element of impromptu apologetics to say the least. And I guess that I have to admit, Paul and Christina were right on this one.
- On a more random note, I was cold for a large majority of the tournament. Outside, inside--it didn't matter.
- I was reminded yet again of the need to really apply myself and work hard. I've got quite a bit of work ahead, but I'm excited about it.
- The Coldstone Creamery ballot party was lots of fun too. I think it should become an ARC tradition--what do you say, guys???
There's my slightly random take on the tournament. It was a great way to kick off a new year--I can't wait for the next one! This is Toni, signing off.
Frisco Practice Tournament, Take 2!
At the urging of the owner of this weblog, I (Beth) am here to present my unspectacular view of the Frisco tournament. As a non-competitor, maybe it'll be a fresh perspective...although I would encourage everyone to skim down to Christina's post below, which is far more interesting. (Reason #1 why this is so: Beth can't for the life of her figure out how to post pictures in Blogger, even though she knows she's done it before...)
During the tournament, I managed to glean a couple rather interesting lessons:
1. Notes can be taken for any sort of speech imaginable.
2. I can flow past the 1AC.
3. I can flow past the 1AC and time.
4. It's much easier to observe other people doing hard things than it is to do the hard things yourself.
I've enjoyed the NCFCA season thus far--I'm quite content to time and watch and listen. Unfortunately, I fear a time is coming when I will be forced to do the hard thing...maybe afterwards I'll have awesome things to share! Till then, I remain your faithful timer,
~Beth
Frisco Practice Tournament
It's hard to believe I (Christina) already finished competing in my first tournament of the year. Club 19:14 hosted a practice tournament in Frisco on Friday and Saturday, and I think 13 of us ARCer's went there. On Friday, I had my first LD debate of the year, and I gave my first ever extemporaneous speech. Extemp was definitely scary, but I suppose it was a good sort of scary.
I love tournaments because, in one sense, tournaments are almost like retreats for me. They somehow serve to invigorate your spiritual walk which I think is because you're pushed outside of what your comfortable with and when you realize how weak you really are, you're forced to depend on God more completely. "For when I am weak, then I am strong" ~1 Cor. 12:10. Here's some of what I learned this weekend.
Lesson 1: Debate issues with the world or in a round, but lovingly discuss issues with friends and family.
At the beginning of the tournament, I met this person and within a few minutes we started talking about beliefs and convictions. The cool thing was that in the areas we did disagree on, we didn’t debate, but rather we acknowledged our differences, discussed it, respected it, and in the end, we put it behind us because our friendship was founded in the unity of the cross of Christ.
Lesson 2: True humility means focusing on others.
Thomas told us that humility is not making yourself sound worse because when you do that, though you’re demoting yourself, the focus is still on you. He said that when you get a compliment from someone simply say, “Thank you”, and move the focus onto them.
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” Phil. 2:3-4
My High and Low Point
After every tournament, Paul and I talk about our high points and low points. My low point was Saturday afternoon when I was discouraged. My high point was when I came off of my low point because of something a girl I debated against told me. She said to look at your past and learn from mistakes, but don’t stay there. Instead, you have to plan what you’re going to do in the present, and do it. Don’t dwell with where you were because you’re not there anymore. Move on. Focus forward.
Then another person also cautioned not to be discouraged about yourself because that is condemnation, and while conviction is from God, condemnation is not: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” ~Rom. 8:1.
Frisco was awesome.
-The atmosphere was so relaxed because there was no added pressure to advance in speeches in order to go to Regionals. -It ran on time. -I hadn't seen most of my old friends since April or June so it was exciting to see everyone again. -There were a bunch of new people. -Kathryn Grace and the Hullums stayed with us at my uncle's house. -I talked to my cousin in Thailand using a special service my uncle has. All in all, it was good...  Happy Beth chillin' with her laptop.  After the tournament, some of us ARCer's went to an ice cream place where Thomas constructively critiqued our ballots.  Dreaming of ice cream.  Midnight after the tournament, Kathryn and I smile while reminiscing over the past two wonderful days.
Film Numbers
I just found an entry on Doug Phillips' blog. The film festival has reiceved 250 submissions. That's compared to 130 from last year, or virtually twice as many. Which also means that the film Alex and I worked on has that much less of a chance of being accepted. But oh well, live and learn.
Campout on the Pedernales
My mom fixed our breaker and saved all of our milk (moms are just magical that way).
The Hastings have been camping at Pedernales Falls State Park for the last few days with 5 other home-school families from the western half of ARC (Josh is close enough).
Seven of the other students have a web presence where they might leave further details of the campout:
Josh
Toni
Alex
Beth
Christina
Ana
Katy
Most of the individuals listed above (including Paul) will be leaving tomorrow for a Round Robin in Frisco this weekend.
Home Again
(Twitter)
The Hastings are home again. Sometime last night the breaker for their refrigerator blew and doesn't want to work again.
Happy Birthday Paul!
Hello, Christina here. Paul's blog is hacked once again to bring forth a special message. Paul is 19 today!
19 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Paul
1. If you’re reading this (besides Jeremy or Caleb), then you probably met Paul within the last four years. We both joined our church and started speech and debate in October of 2004.
 Paul (left) and Jeremy at Pat's Eagle Scout project.
2. Paul used to want to be a chemist when he grew up. He was attracted by the mad scientist part.
3. My grandma told Paul when he was 8 that our stray cat was a Siamese cat. He retorted, “You mean when he was born, he was all stuck together?”
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